We know too well the turmoil that transpires thousands of miles away in our spiritual homeland, and tonight there's an opportunity to help. Americans for a Safe Israel, a group that supports the settler movement and opposes territorial withdrawal as a means to ensure the safety and longevity of Israel, is sponsoring the fifth annual benefit dinner for Nefesh B'Nefesh, which eases the aliyah process by providing financial support, employment resources and social guidance for Jews from around the world who decide to make Israel their home. The fundraiser will include a presentation by L.A. Consul General of Israel Jacob Dayan and entertainment by Cantor Mike Stein of Temple Aliyah. Sun. 6:30 p.m. $100 donation (includes dinner and program). Chabad of the Valley, 18181 Burbank Blvd., Tarzana. (818) 349-2581. http://www.afsi.org.

(JAZZ CONCERT)

From the church steeple to the big screen, pianist Karen Hernandez will mix Latin music with blues riffs tonight during the ninth annual Lady Jazz concert, "In the Key of Grand." The evening's honoree, Hernandez, whose credits include an original song and performances in "Pretty Woman" and the "Fabulous Baker Boys," will be joined by Jewish jazz harpist and pianist Corky Hale, drummer Maria Martinez, bassist Nedra Wheeler, saxophonist Carol Chaikin, trumpeter Anne King, trombonist Alisha Marie Ard and members of the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra. The all-female showcase is organized by Instrumental Women, which promotes the history of women in jazz and develops musical opportunities for young women. Sun. 6 p.m. $25-$35. Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. http://www.fordtheatres.org. http://www.instrumentalwomen.com.

WED | SEPTEMBER 3

(MOVIE)

'Noodle' trailer (Hebrew)

Before "The Fly" hits the L.A. stage on Sept. 7, the American Film Institute, in partnership with the Los Angeles Opera, will screen David Cronenberg's 1986 big-budget reboot of the 1958 sci-fi/horror classic. Just to recap: Seth Brundle, played by Jeff Goldblum, is a brilliant research scientist who unknowingly shares a ride in his teleportation pod with a common housefly. Their merged DNA initiates a graphic -- and gross -- metamorphosis that ultimately dooms Brundle's love affair with journalist Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis). A question-and-answer session with Cronenberg and Howard Shore, who scored the film and composed the music for the opera, will precede the screening. Wed. 8 p.m. $12. 6360 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 856-7600. http://www.afi.com/onscreen/arclight/arclight.aspx#fly.

THU | SEPTEMBER 4

(FILM)

"Noodle" might have been eclipsed by the more provocative "The Secrets" at this year's Israeli Film Festival, but the film was a crowd darling judging by the raucous applause it received. An El Al flight attendant's monotonous life is thrown into chaos when her Chinese housekeeper disappears without a trace, leaving behind a 6-year-old boy. On a quest to find the adorable boy's mother -- nicknamed Noodle for his adept noodle-sucking ability -- the twice-widowed Miri discovers more than she anticipated. Full of biting Israeli humor, endearingly flawed characters and superb acting, the film garnered nine Israeli Film Academy nominations, including best film and best actress. Sinai Temple will be screening it at their program, "Lights, Camera, Israel!" followed by a discussion. Thu. 7 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. R.S.V.P (310) 481-3243 or rsvp@sinaitemple.org.

(SISTERHOOD LUNCHEON)

Gather all ye women for an enlightening afternoon with a fascinating female. Susanne Reyto, who survived two of history's most harrowing periods -- Nazi occupation and communism -- and lived to write about it, will share what she's learned about survival, gratitude and liberty. Her book, "Pursuit of Freedom: A True Story of the Enduring Power of Hope and Dreams," will spark the conversational content of today's luncheon, a program that will hopefully leave you inspired and encouraged. Thu. Noon-2 p.m. $20-$25. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. http://www.vbs.org.

FRI | SEPTEMBER 5

(DANCE PERFORMANCE)

Forget going to a nice restaurant or on a romantic vacation for your anniversary. Instead, take a lesson from the interracial husband-and-wife team of C. Derrick Jones and Nehara Kalev who make up Catch Me Bird. The two-person dance company will perform "SILK," a high-energy routine interspersed with fascinating aerial movements for their fourth wedding anniversary. While dancing is the couple's passion, their love for each other will also be on display with a real recommitment ceremony performed on stage as part of the show. Pairing with this dynamic duo, the Baker and Tarpaga Dance Project, a Los Angeles-based contemporary dance company that draws influence from West African and post-modern dance, will illustrate the tragic story of the assassination of Burkinabe journalist Norbert Zongo. The two groups join in the Ford Amphitheater's "Sans Detour," a show for anyone who appreciates dance, passion, love and creativity all rolled into one. Fri. 8:30 p.m. $5 (students), $25 (general). Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. http://www.fordtheatres.org/en.

(CONCERT)

Apparently anything goes at the Hollywood Bowl, because tonight Tchaikovsky meets the USC Trojan marching band. In a summer finale spectacle that blends unlikely sights and sounds, 18-year-old violin wiz Eugene Ugorski, already a celebrated and worldly musician, makes his way to Los Angeles' favorite outdoor venue for the annual "Tchaikovsky Spectacular With Fireworks." Ugorski, who has performed in Moscow, Tokyo, São Paolo and all over the United States, will join the USC Trojan Marching Band, which has marched before seven U.S. presidents, four Super Bowls and two Summer Olympic Games. So pack your picnic dinner and enjoy the warm air before it's gone. Fri. 8:30 p.m. $10-$114. Also Sat., Sep. 6, 8:30 p.m. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. http://www.hollywoodbowl.com.

(OPERETTA)

Kanye West sings: "That, that don't kill me can only make me stronger." He clearly shares a similar life view with Jewish singer-songwriter Charlie Lustman, who returns to the stage with an autobiographical pop music operetta, "Made Me Nuclear." Lustman, a native Angeleno, uses music and humor to explain the turmoil he suffered while he fought cancer. Fri. 8 p.m. Also, Sat. at 8 p.m. Through Oct. 11. $25. Santa Monica Playhouse, The Main Stage, 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica. (866) 468-3399. http://www.mademenuclear.com.

(SHABBAT)

Chocolate and wine -- two very compelling incentives to celebrate Shabbat, and Temple Emanuel has them both. "Chocolate Shabbat" begins with sensory delights and continues with the synagogue's popular Shabbat Unplugged musical service to satiate the spirit. Young professionals are invited to imbibe wine in the temple library and tots can work on a mitzvah project while their 'rents daven. And just when you thought one house of worship couldn't pack in more to do, the community is also invited to explore the synagogue in an open house -- a skillful move -- because, after all the chocolate and wine, membership numbers are bound to increase. Fri. 6:30 p.m. (chocolate), 7:30 p.m. (service). Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737. http://www.tebh.org.

(THEATER)

If we didn't think Seth Menachem — the former Jewish Journal singles columnist who proposed marriage to his girlfriend in the paper -- was a little crazy then, we definitely do now. Or at least he plays a mighty convincing schizophrenic in the world premiere of "Isaac and Ishmael," a new play whose biblical allusion is not unintentional. It tells the story of two opposite-minded brothers -- one a wealthy playboy, the other a schizophrenic patient in a psych ward -- who are forced to reunite after the death of their father. From there, they struggle to reconnect after they spent years living worlds apart. Fri. 8 p.m. $15-$18. Through Sept. 21. The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica. (323) 960-7788. http://www.blackwingtheater.wordpress.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

If you think continuing education is stale, you haven't taken the Skirball's Adult Education Courses. The cultural institution is offering some scintillating eye-openers in the coming months: "Jesus and Judaism," presented in conjunction with the upcoming exhibition, "A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People," illuminates the connection between the sage's teachings and where he learned them; "You Shall Teach Your Children: The Art of Writing an Ethical Will" challenges students to forget about possessions and instead, imagine the hard-won lessons and values they hope to transmit; and "Pillars of Judaism" covers the basic tenets of the faith -- the commandments, repentance, acts of kindness, prayer, good and evil, messianism and the profound spiritual, social and cultural changes of the modern world. Course schedules and prices vary. Information is available by phone or online. (310) 440-4500. http://www.skirball.org.

-- Jina Davidovich helped with this article

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